Department of Religion | The George Washington University

UNDERSTANDING RELIGION'S ROLE
in the lives of individuals, communities and the world.

Who We Are

Undergraduate philosophy students in Professor Eyal Aviv's Buddhist Ethics, Tomp 204

The George Washington University Department of Religion teaches religious history and traditions as a foundation for understanding our complex, modern world. Students are immersed in vigorous discussions on the religions of Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and both Sunni and Shi’ite Islam, and develop critical thinking and communication skills that can be applied to successful professional experiences.

The Department of Religion offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including one of the only graduate programs in the field focused on Shi’ite Islam. Whether studying ancient Hebrew script or understanding modern religious conflicts, students are prepared to meet today's challenges.

About Us

What We Offer

Kelly Pemberton teaching a Women in Islam class

We offer a Bachelor of Arts and a Minor in Religion, as well as BA and minor programs through our Peace Studies Program.

Two students at a table

We are home to two graduate-level programs: a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Islamic Studies.

A person's hand reaching to pull a book off a shelf of Arabic textbooks

Our events and lectures are open to the campus community. We also offer academic prizes and resources to undergraduate and graduate students.

Anyu Silverman

BA '19

"Every major should take at least a few religious studies courses throughout college. The Religion Department gives students the ability to think insightfully about what is going on in the world and how religion influences political and social movements across time. This is a skill that has served me well across disciplines, internships, extracurriculars and jobs."